hinckley



y 30, 33- E. B. HINCKLEY 1,911,559

GAME Filed Oct. 29, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Edw ar'fl El. Hinckl ATTORNEYS.

May 30,1933. E. B. HINCKLEY GAME Filed Oct. 29, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR E dwar'd ElH-inu ldg w ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 3%, 1933 EDWARD B. HINCKLEY, or irrnanarrnra, r'n-NNsYLvamA cairn Application filed October 29,1929. Serial No. 403,263.

This invention relates to improvements in games. I

The primary object of this invention is the provision of a game preferably adapted to be played out of doors, within an area approxlmately the same as occupied by the conventional baseball field, altho the game is capable of being played with indoor apparatus, and the playing surface may vary in size.

A further object of this invention isthe provision of an improved game played in a novel manner and with novel equipment, combining someessential features of both baseball and golf, which necessitate skill in the playing, with sufiioient chance involved therein to make th same appealing to those who like to play baseball or golf.

Other objects and advantages of this in- 29 vention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown only the preferred embodiment of the invent-ion:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the playing su face and equipment for the improved game.

Figure 2 is a perspective view taken at the corner of the playing field from which the operator drives the ball which is used as the playing element.

Figure 3 is a full size view of the ball which is used in playing the game.

Figure 1 is a cross section view taken thru the ball of Figure 3. As shown in Figure 1, the playing surface has preferably laid out thereon, bases in quite close similarity, as to shape and size, with respect to an ordinary infield of a baseball diamond. The playing surface as shown includes a home plate 10, first base 11, second base 12, and third base 13; home base and first base beingconnected by a base line 14.

Similarly, an actual orimaginary base line 4 15 may connect first and second bases 11 and l2 base line 16 may connect second and third bases 12 and 13 respectively; and base line 17 may connect third base 13 and home plate 10;

thus completing the layout of the diamond.

The straight line distances between the bases may be 90 feet, more or less, in accordance most feasible. The net 20 has the top edge 21 thereof preferably six feet from the ground or playing surface, and the ends of the net 20 are supported by two poles 22 and 23, each of which may be six feet in height above the ground surface. The net 20, which is preferably similar to a tennis net, is eight feet long, from pole 22 to polev 23, and it is a yard high, that is three feet from the lower edge 24 to the upper edge 21; the latter, as above mentioned, being six feet from the ground. This leaves three feet of clear space beneath the bottom of the net for passage of the ball or playing element. The net 20 is preferably placed a distance from the home plate 10 so that the plane of the net extended will intersect the base lines 14; and 17 fifteen feet from the location where the base lines 14 and 17 intersect each other at home plate 10. This is shown in Figure 1, This distance may vary, however, if found advisable, since the net is intended to prove a hazard to those who drive the ball or playing element, in a teed relation from the vicinity of the home plate, in order to determine the skill of the operator.

The ball 30 shown in Figure 3 is quite similar to a baseball, but smaller in diameter, and lighter in weight. It is preferably eight inches in external circumference, and three ounces in total weight. The core is preferably of elastic construction, and the core 31 shown in Figure 4: is preferably about 1.62 inches in external diameter, and Weighing about 1.62 ounces, thus permitting the use of old golf balls as cores for the improved playing element 80. New golf balls may be'used if so desired. The core 31 is externally wound with suitable material 33 to the desired diameter, and then the ball is covered at Sal with a horsehide cover, much after the fashion of covering baseballs. The construction of the baseball may vary if found desirable.

In playing the game, clubs quite similar to golf clubs are employed by the players, but the same are greater in Weight, size, and strength than ordinary golf clubs. The clubs may have a wooden or et-al head, as desired and in view of the nature of the game, the clubs may resemble drivers. The club of course has a handle of desired length, to permit players to use it in the same manner as ordinary golf clubs are used, and the lower angular head may have a concaved driving face, in contra-distinction to a plane driving face, if found most expedient during play.

7 The manner of play, and the rules for the improved game are, in general, the same as those used in playing ordinary baseball, with certain exceptions hereinafter mentioned.

The game will be played by opposing teams each of which shall consists of nine players. The team on the defense shall consist of first, second and third basemen, as in baseball, and three fielders, namely, right, center and left fielders, as in baseball. However, due to the nature of the game the pitcher is eliminated, and it is to be noted that. the baseball infield has no pitchers box. Two short- ,stops are'used, however, one between first and second base, and the other between second and third base, so that the shortstops may be termedright and left respectively. Qf course, a catcher is used whose station shall be at home plate, while the ball is in play only.

.formal uniformed encounters the team members may at their own election substitute caddies to fill their playing positions when their sideis on the defensive.

The ball 30 is teed one foot behind the point of home plate, as shown at 40 in Figure 2 of the drawings, and r not higher than threequarters of an inch from the ground or playing surface- The batter may drive the ball to any part of the field, and it is in play from the moment it is hit by the batter, or driver.

-The ball remains in play with the rules of baseball governing the game generally, until the ball is returned to the catcher after the runners have been held or have advanced.

The moment the cacther has the ball safely in hand, it is out'of play, and runners may not step off their bases, or loose contact thererom, until the ball is again in play.

As in baseball, a point is scored for each runner crossin the home plate, while the ball is in play, after a circuit of the bases.

If the batter or driver knocks the ball into the net the rule may be such that he may have a second opportunity to hit the same; his first net drive being counted a strike. However, for the second opportunity the ball cannot be teed. If the batter fails to knock the ball beyond the plane of the net,.,but does not hit it into the net, he may also have a second opportunity to hit the ball, the first drive being counted a strike. Of course, misses in driving are also called strikes. In no case may the ball be teed more than once, and'the batter or driver cannot have more than second strike at it. Thus, in contradistinction to baseball only two strikes are per nitted the driver.

Runners on the bases may advance immediately that the ball is struck from the tee, but if the batter fails to place the ball fully in play with the first strike, the runners must return to their former positions until the ball is again struck. Should a batter or driver fail to put the ball in play beyond the net, or beyond a given point in the event the net is'not used, as may sometimes be the case with unskilled players, he is out, if he has already one strike against him, and in event. under any oirmunstances. the ball is not driven beyond the plane of the net, the runners cannot advance at all. Y

Foul balls that are caught will count the driver out, and other fouls shall be termed first and second strikes, as the case may be,

and the second strike shall be counted out,

in contradistinction to baseball play. As in baseball the side will be retired when three batters or drivers are out, and in formal contest nine innings may constitute a game.

If the batter or driver puts the ball in play successfully from the tee he runs from the position from which he bats. If the caddy runs for the driver or batter, the caddy runs from the plate in either event, when the ball is put into play.

It is of course the duty of the catcher to retrieve the ball for each batter after it has been put into play.

The net serves as a hazard not only tothe batter, but also to all of the fielders, and also to the catcher. Considerable skill is necessitated in throwing the ball from the outfield or infield to the catcher so as to avoid the hazard.

It is of course understood that the ball is in play after it has passed the plane of the net, within the diamond.

It is noted that lines 41 and 42 diverging from home plate 10 and intersecting the posts 22 and 23 Will intersect the infield base lines 15 and 16 on the first and second base sides of the respective mid points.

Under circumstances arising and not above specifically enumerated, the players follow the rules of conventional baseball, insofar as applicable.

The top of the net is so disposed that a skillful driver can readily hit the ball thereabove from the tee location.

Various changes in the arrangement of details of the bases, hazard, and playing surfaces may be made to'the form of the invention, and changes made in the ruling of play, Within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claim.

I claim:

In a game, the combination of a playing surface laid out in the form of a baseball diamond including home, first, second and third bases, and a rebound surface Within the area of the infield of said diamond, projecting upwardly from the playing surface, said hazard directly facing the home plate in spaced relation therewith, the sides of the rebound surface terminating short of the base lines extending from the home plate to first and third bases, so that imaginary lines, diverging from the home plate and intersecting opposite ends of said rebound surface continued to the base lines extending from second base to first and third bases, will inter sect at locations near the midway point between second base and first and third bases.

EDWARD B. HINGKLEY. 

